Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Argentina: 2016 Joint Communiqué on the Falklands

Tuesday 14 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rob Butler questioned the implications of Argentina's withdrawal from the 2016 joint communiqu on the Falklands.
  • The Falkland Islanders reaffirmed their desire to remain British in a 2012 referendum.
  • Chris Bryant raised concerns about Argentina's political motivations regarding the Falklands.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Foreign Affairs
Context

Argentina has withdrawn from the 2016 joint communiqué concerning the Falkland Islands, leading to concerns about its implications for UK policies and bilateral cooperation.

Question

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of Argentina's decision to withdraw from the 2016 joint communiqué on the Falklands?

Answer from David Rutley

The Argentine Government's decision is disappointing for the Falkland Islands, for the UK and for Argentina. There are many areas in which our countries stand to gain from working together positively, including on the humanitarian effort to identify fallen Argentine service personnel from the 1982 conflict. The joint communiqué covers all these areas and more. The Argentine Government's decision hurts our mutually beneficial bilateral co-operation, and it further damages the Falkland islanders' confidence in their intentions, which is why Argentina should reconsider its decision. We are working closely with the Falkland islanders to identify next steps.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific policy commitments or actions addressing Argentina's withdrawal beyond general statements about cooperation and bilateral relations.

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Q2 Rob Butler
Foreign Affairs
Context

The questioner visited the Falklands recently and noted that local people strongly support the referendum result from 10 years ago, where more than 90% voted to remain a British overseas territory. He is concerned about Argentina's unilateral decision to abandon the joint communiqué.

Question

I was lucky enough to visit the Falkland Islands a few weeks ago with the armed forces parliamentary scheme, and from meeting local people there it was clear that they powerfully and passionately stand by the referendum result of exactly 10 years ago, when more than 90% voted for the Falklands to remain a British overseas territory. That makes Argentina's recent unilateral decision to abandon the joint communiqué all the more outrageous. What are the Government doing to make it clear to the Argentines that the Falkland Islanders have the unequivocal right to self-determination and how the UK will protect that in practice?

Answer from David Rutley

It would be remiss of me not to welcome the 10th anniversary of the referendum on the future of the Falkland Islands. It is only for the people of the Falkland Islands to decide their own future. We consistently make clear to Argentina and to international partners our unbending support for the Falkland Islanders and their self-determination rights.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or measures taken by the government to protect the right of self-determination, only general statements affirming it.

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Q3 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Foreign Affairs
Context

Some constituents are concerned about the delay in publishing full papers related to the board of inquiry into the Falklands War, particularly regarding the Sir Galahad incident.

Question

The Falklands are British and that is the end of the story. Santiago Cafiero is undoubtedly engaging in a bit of electioneering during a general election, and we should just—[Interruption.] Exactly as the Foreign Secretary just indicated, we should not be surprised when these things are said. Many of my constituents lost loved ones killed on the Sir Galahad in the defence of the Falklands many years ago and some of them are worried that some papers have not been published yet and will not be until 2065. They would like to see the full papers that were provided to the board of inquiry, so will the Minister investigate whether those can now be published?

Answer from David Rutley

I thank the hon. Gentleman for making those points in his original remarks. There are usual processes to go through, but I will take those points away and discuss them with the Minister for overseas territories.

Not addressed: Did not provide any substantive information or commitment regarding the publication of papers, only stated an intention to discuss the matter.

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